Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Toyo Observe EWS1
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. The WinterContact TS 870 was stronger in wet, snow, ice, comfort and value, the Observe EWS1 in dry.
Performance profile
13 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterContact TS 870
Observe EWS1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it.
Where each scores higher
WinterContact TS 870
Observe EWS1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | WinterContact TS 870 | Gap | Observe EWS1 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 142 | 1.5% | 140 | 0-2 |
| Wet WinterContact TS 870 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 135 | 2.9% | 138 | 1-0 |
| Wet Braking - Concrete ft | 125 | 3.8% | 130 | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 51.6 | 3.4% | 50 | 1-0 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 10.5 | 6.7% | 9.8 | 1-0 |
| Snow WinterContact TS 870 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 58 | 7.8% | 62 | 2-0 |
| Snow Traction lbf | 570 | 9.5% | 521 | 1-0 |
| Ice WinterContact TS 870 ahead | ||||
| Ice Braking ft | 56 | 2.8% | 58 | 1-0 |
| Comfort WinterContact TS 870 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 71.2 | 2.5 dB | 73.7 | 1-0 |
| Value WinterContact TS 870 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 26,669 | 6.4% | 28,571 | 1-1 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.23 | 7.3% | 8.88 | 1-0 |
| Fuel Consumption l/100km | 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.7 | 1-0 |
| Abrasion mg/km/t | 74 | 4.1% | 71 | 0-1 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared.
Head to head in 2 tests in 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | WinterContact TS 870 | Field | Observe EWS1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P4 of 15 | P12 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | P2 of 16 | P12 of 16 |
WinterContact TS 870 vs Observe EWS1: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 or the Toyo Observe EWS1 the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 scores 9.2 and the Observe EWS1 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 or the Observe EWS1?
The WinterContact TS 870 led 4 of the 5 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.9% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Observe EWS1 led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterContact TS 870 led 3 of the 3 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.8% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 and 7/10 for the Observe EWS1.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Observe EWS1 85% from 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 54.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The WinterContact TS 870 is made in 44 sizes (14 to 19 inch) and the Observe EWS1 in 79 (15 to 21 inch). 8 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Observe EWS1 B and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.